Canada in Talks to Join U.S. ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defense Plan

PCI

FILE: President Donald Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok; The White House/Facebook)

Canada is in early talks with the United States about joining a major missile defense project known as the “Golden Dome.” The plan, unveiled by former U.S. President Donald Trump, aims to build a large-scale system to defend North America from various missile threats, including hypersonic and intercontinental weapons.

“Canada has called us, and they want to be a part of it,” Trump said during the announcement. He added that Canada would pay its “fair share.”

While Ottawa confirmed the discussions, officials say nothing has been decided yet. The talks are part of broader negotiations on trade and security between the two countries. Key details—like how much Canada would pay or what role it would play—remain unclear.

Canada already works with the U.S. through NORAD, which tracks airborne threats. However, unlike the U.S., Canada has no say in whether to launch a missile strike. That’s because Canada chose not to join the U.S. missile defense program in the early 2000s, a politically sensitive decision at the time.

With threats evolving and Canada’s northern radar systems aging, the pressure to rethink that decision is growing. Both countries plan upgrades, and some officials believe deeper cooperation makes sense.

Former Canadian defense minister David Pratt supports the move. “I’m hoping we’ll see NORAD assume what its rightful role should have been,” he said, reflecting on past missed opportunities.

Experts warn the Golden Dome project will be costly and take much longer than Trump’s proposed three-year timeline. One analyst, Wes Rumbaugh, called it a major step forward in missile defense that could cost far more than the initial $175 billion price tag.

Whether Canada takes a leading role or sticks to surveillance support, the talks suggest a shift in how Canada views its place in North American defense—one driven by new threats and changing global realities.